Prognostic value of serum IL-18 and nitric oxide activity in breast cancer patients at operable stage

Am J Clin Oncol. 2003 Aug;26(4):416-21. doi: 10.1097/01.COC.0000027416.15170.53.

Abstract

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a multifunctional cytokine that was previously termed interferon-gamma-inducing factor. It has been suggested that serum IL-18 level may be used as a prognostic factor in some cancer types. Nitric oxide is a potent biologic molecule involved in the pathogenesis of cancer. In this study, we measured serum IL-18 and nitrate + nitrite levels in 56 patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer and 14 control subjects. Serum IL-18* and nitrate + nitrite** levels were significantly higher in patients with breast cancer when compared to the control subjects (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.001). Serum IL-18 levels were significantly higher in patients whose tumor size was greater than or equal to 5 cm when compared to patients whose tumor size was less than or equal to 2 cm (p < 0.05). Patients who were axillary lymph node negative (ALN) had lower serum IL-18 levels when compared to patients with positive ALN (p < 0.001). Serum IL-18 levels were significantly higher in patients with stage IIB or IIIA when compared to patients with stage I or IIA (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum nitrate + nitrite levels in terms of age, tumor stage, estrogen receptor, and menopausal and ALN status (p > 0.05). In conclusion, serum IL-18 level may be a useful marker to predict prognosis of patients with breast cancer in complete remission after surgery. Long-term follow-up is required to clarify this hypothesis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-18 / blood*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucin-1 / blood
  • Nitrates / blood
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitrites / blood
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Interleukin-18
  • Mucin-1
  • Nitrates
  • Nitrites
  • Nitric Oxide